Gophers Start Spring Opener with Draw

(Overland Park, KS) The journey for the 2010 edition of Minnesota Soccer began on Sunday with a scoreless tie against the Missouri Tigers at the new Overland Park Soccer Complex in Overland Park, KS. The match was the feature college showcase game of the “Border Battle” youth tournament over the weekend.

Minnesota, who returns all 11 starters from last season, earned a shutout against the defending Big XII Champion Tigers. Missouri had not been shutout since September 20^th of last fall. Additionally, Mizzou finished 2009 ranked 11^th in the nation in scoring offense.

The Tigers looked as if they were going to get on the scoreboard in the 21^st minute of play when sophomore Jessie Crabtree was in alone on a breakaway with Minnesota goalkeeper Cat Parkhill. Parkhill came out and stood her ground and Crabtree’s shot sailed high over the goal.

Minnesota earned several free kicks in the attacking end of the field throughout the game, but failed to produce a quality scoring chance. The Gophers’ best chance came in the 73^rd minute in the run of play when freshman Marissa Price served a ball into the box for classmate Stephanie Brandt. Brandt’s shot sailed just wide of the frame and the game remained scoreless.

Mizzou put pressure on the Gophers in the final 5 minutes of the match and earned a clear scoring chance for forward Kari Adam 12 yards from goal with under a minute to play. Parkhill came up with the diving save, parrying the ball wide to preserve the shutout.

The Gophers outshot the Tigers 8-3 on the day, but only managed two shots on goal while Mizzou managed just the one in the final minute. Missouri did however earn 8 corner kicks to Minnesota’s 4.  The Gopher attack was led by juniors Kylie Kallman, Molly Rouse, and Katie Bethke who each recorded two shots on the day.

There were over 200 Gopher fans in attendance among the crowd that assembled at the youth tournament to cheer on the two teams. Minnesota returns to action in Cary, NC the weekend of March 27-28 when they take on ACC powers Duke and Wake Forest at the WakeMed Soccer Park. The Gophers battle Duke at 12 noon on the 27^th and Wake Forest at 1:30pm on the 28^th.